Tablet dispensing machine



J. MADDEN TABLET DISPENSING MACHINE Jan. 12, 1943.

Filed Nov. 21, 1939' I: II*. l

5 Sheets-Sheet l 1N VENTOR. LOU/S J. MADDEN M (1% 6 ZT'TO EYS Jan. 12, 1943. Y L. J. MADDEN 2,308,188

I TABLET DISPENSING MACHINE Filec} Nov. 21. 1939 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 I INVENTOR. LOU/S 1/; MADDEN A ORNEY5.

Jan. 12, 1943. 1.. J. MADDEN 2,303,188 TABLET DISPENSING MACHINE Filed Nov. 21, 1939' 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENT OR.

LOU/5 J. MA QEN ATTORNEYS.

Patented Jan. 12, 1943 TABLET DISPENSING MACHINE Louis J. Madden, Syracuse, N. Y., assignor to International Salt 00., Inc-., Ithaca, N. Y., a. corporation of New York Application November 21, 1939,. Serial No. 305,539

1 Claim.

This invention 'relates to a machine for dispensing tablets and is intended particularly to dispense one or more tablets formed of easily granulated material, such as salt, into a container while a procession of containers are advanced in juxtaposition to the machine.

In the canning industry, it is customary to dispense a given quanity of an ingredient, as salt, to each container of certain canned goods, such as corn, peas, etc. It is important that a given quantity of salt be delivered to each container. It is difficult to obtain this result with granu lated or powdered salt in that it is more difiicult to accurately measure in the granulated form under ordinary conditions, and extremely difficult under clamp conditions. This invention relates to machine whereby the salt may be previously pressed into tablets under favorableoperating conditions so that each tablet represents an accurate predetermined quantity of salt.

Machines have been heretofore devised to dispense tablets and this invention is directed to certain improvements in such machines notably the ability to effectively dispense one or more tablets to each container as the containers are advancedv in a continuous procession by the machine. Further, the improvements include a particularly efficient means for transferring and feeding the tablets from the supply hopper in a manner to reduce grinding or granulation of the tablets to a minimum. These improvements, and other features, constitute the objects of this invention and other features thereof reside in the combinations and constructions hereinafter set forth and claimed.

In describing this invention, reference is had to the accompanying drawings in which like characters designate corresponding parts in all the views.

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a. machine embodying my invention.

Figure 2 is a rear elevational view of the machine shown in Figure 1 with parts being shown in section taken on lines 2-2, Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a view taken on lines 33, Figure 2. Figure 4 is a view taken on lines 44, Figure 2. Figure 5 is a sectional view of the clutch mechanism taken substantially on lines 55, Figure 2. Figure 5 is a fragmentary detail view, looking downward in Figure 5, with the shiftable section in its shifted position, the locking cam member in its position occupied just prior to shifting the shiftable section back to ts starting position.

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the tablet retaining member and the, discharge end of the chute.

Figure 'l is a top plan view of the tablet feeding mechanism.

Figure 8 is a side elevational view of the tablet dispensing tube. with the. lower end thereof shown in section.

Figure 9 is a fragmentary view similar to Figure 4 illustrating a different connection between the solenoid and the locking member for the one-revolution clutch, the parts being shown, in normal. or. starting position.

Figure 10 is a view similar to Figure 9 illustrating the parts in operated position.

Figure 11 is a detail plan View of the leverbetween the solenoid and the locking member.

This tablet feeding, machine comprises, generally, a suitable hopper for the tablets to be dispensed, means for feeding the. tablets in line, file or column from the hopper, a delivery nozzle located below the hopper and the feeding means, the nozzle being. out of line with the feeding means, means, as an inclined chute, for transferring the tablets from the feeding means to the nozzle, cut-off and dispensing mechanism operable to deliver a predetermined number of tablets, that is, one or more tablets upon each operation, from the feeding mechanism to the transfer means or chute, and hence, to the nozzle, mechanism, as a plunger, operable to eject a predetermined number, one or a plurality, of tablets in the nozzle, from the nozzle, suitab e actuating mechanism including synchronizing means for the cutofi and dispensing mechanism and the ejector mechanism or plunger, and means controlled by .the movement of the container into receiving position relatively to, that is, under the nozzle, for controlling the operation of the cut-off and dispensing mechanism and the delivery mechanism or plunger by the actuating mechanism.

Usually the cut-off and dispensing mechanism cuts off and delivers one tablet from the file or column of tablets permitting that one tablet to pass through the transfer passage or chute to the nozzle, and the plunger delivers that tablet from the nozzle'into the container under the nozzle, although it will be understood that any predetermined number, or more than one tablet may be delivered upon each operation of the cut-off and dispensing mechanism and the plunger.

One of the features of the invention is the delivery nozzle, this being formed of a resilient elastic material, as rubber, and having its delivery end conical in form and split longitudinally to form a plurality of resilient elastic fingers,these fingers being spread radially by the action of the plunger or delivery mechanism against the tablets. The delivery nozzle is divided into a plurality, as four, of resilient and elastic segments or fingers. The advantage of such a nozzle is that it does not mutilate, scour or grind off any of the salt from the tablet. Another special feature is the cut-off and dispensing mechanism.

Another feature of the invention is the control of the cut-off and dispensing mechanism and the delivery mechanism or plunger by the movement of a container into receiving position under the nozzle.

A particularly important feature of the invention is the delivery tube of the feeding mechanism, this extending vertically into the hopper and having a portion thereof in the hopper cut away, so that it is substantially semi-circular in cross section and picks up the tablet with little friction and grinding throughout the depth of the bulk of tablets in the hopper, during relative rotation of the tube and the hopper. The tube and the tablets are of such diameter that the tube conveys the tablets in a single column.

The frame of the machine may be of any suitable construction, that here shown consisting of a supporting column I!) on the upper end of which is mounted a boxlike housing I! in which the actuating mechanism of the machine is contained, and on the top of which is detachably mounted a hopper I2 for the supply of tablets to be dispensed. The hopper I2 is of general cylindrical formation having a stepped bottom formed with inclined or conical surfaces !3 corresponding to the treads of steps, these surfaces l3 converging. downward and inward and the lowermost surfaces l3 merging into a bowl-shaped portion M. The hopper is detachably secured to the top of the body I l, as by screws l5, arranged in recesses formed in opposite side walls of the hopper between the periphery and the bottom thereof. The hand screws I5 thread into suitable apertures formed in the top wall of the body 1 I. The bottom of the hopper I2 is formed in steps to avoid jamming or clogging of the tablets along the rotatable delivery tube to be presently described.

The hopper is provided with a suitable cover I 8 Tin which is arran ed a level indicator consisting which a removable closure is located. this closure including a portion or section 22 of the stepped bottom of the hopper.

The means for feeding the tablets in a row, line.

. file or column from the hopper l2 comprises an upright tube 3!! rotatably mounted centrally or axially of the hopper with its upper end portion extending into the hopper and having a lengthwise portion or section, preferably onehalf, in cross section, cut away as indicated at 3! (Figures 1 and 8) so that as the tube 30 rotates the tablets feed axially into the tube through the open side thereof, or are picked up by the tube with minimum friction and abrading throughout the depth of the bulk of tablets in the hopper. There is always a quantity or column of tablets in the tube, because the tablets do not feed one by one from the hopper into the tube but on the contrary there is always a column of tablets in the tube ready for delivery. The feed tube is thus also a magazine tube. The tube is provided with an enlargement in the form of a sleeve 32 secured thereto adjacent the lower end thereof. The sleeve 32 is formed with a head 33 at its upper end and the lower portion of the sleeve is threaded to receive a nut 34, the nut clampin the head against the hub of a motion transmitting member for rotating the tube to be presently described.

The body I i is formed with a depending portion 40 below the hopper, in the lower end of which is located a bearing 4| in which is mounted the motion transmitting member or actuator 42 for the rotatable tube 30. This actuator member 42 is here shown as in the form of a sleeve formed with a bevel gear 43 in its upper end, said upper end being mounted on a bearing 44 around a depending hub portion of a plate 45 suitably mounted in the top wall of the housing II. The lower end of this sleeve or motion transmitting member 42 i is provided with an internal hub 46 supported by radial arms 41 from the bottom of the actuator member or sleeve 42. The tube 39 is also formed with an annular flange or collar which is substantially flush with the bowl-shaped portion of the hopper. The tube 30 with the parts thereon is inserted through the plate 45 and the hub 32 is applied within the internal hub 46 of the motion transmitting member or sleeve. When the motion transmitting member 42 is located, the tube 30 is also located. The upper portion of the tube 39 within the hopper l2 with one side thereof cut away, as at 3|, provides a simple and effective means for picking up and guiding the tablets in the hopper into the tube without excessive agitation, and hence grinding or grating action on the tablets. If, however, the tube should become clogged, it is merely necessary to remove the nut 32 and withdraw the tube upwardly.

The means for transferring the tablets from the tube 30 to the delivery nozzle comprises an inclined chute 5!! arranged below the lower end of the tube 38 with the upper end of the chute in register with the tube, the chute 50 inclining laterally and downwardly from the end of the tube to the delivery nozzle 5| secured to the lower or outer end of the chute 5!). The nozzle 5! is formed of yieldable material, as rubber, with the lower portion 52 thereof conoidal to provide a restricted passage to retain a tablet therein. The conoidal portion 52 is formed with a plurality of radial lengthwise slots 53 which provide radially yielding fingers, so that the nozzle being formed of rubber, the fingers do not offer any material resistance to the tablets being pushed out of the nozzle, by means, as a plunger. The lower end of the chute 50 is formed with a head, as a cylindrical portion 54, in which is mounted an ejector or delivery plunger 55. The plunger 55 moves axially of the bore of the nozzle 5| to move or push a tablet or tablets therein through the slotted conoidal end portion 52 thereof. it by a retaining member 55. The chute 55 may be provided with a transparent window 56 to permit the operator to observe the passage of the tablets through the chute.

The cut-off and dispensingmechanism operable to deliver a predetermined number of tablets upon each operation of the feeding means from the tube 30 to the transfer chute 50 and hence to the nozzle 5|, comprises a passage alined with the lower end of the feed tube 30 and over the receiving end of the chute 50, the

The nozzle 5i is secured to the head passage having a transverse recess leaving an arcuate jaw portion, a jaw movable into the recess toward and from the fixed jaw and when in its innermost position, serving to contract the passage suificiently to prevent the passage i of a tablet therethrough, a cut-off plate having a passage therethrough for registering with the passage 50 and normally out of register therewith and also serving to move the movable jaw to its outer position against the action of a returning spring, and means for actuating the cut-off plate and thereby causing it to first actuate the movable jaw, and thereby permit the tablet to fall through said passage onto the cut-oil plate and then upon return movement to bring the aperture of the cut-off plate into alinement with said passage but permit the movable jaw to return to its normal position, cutting oif the feeding of an additional tablet. When the aperture registers with said passage, the movable jaw cuts off the feeding of any additional tablets while the tablet just released by said movable jaw is free to fall through the aperture into the chute 50, and pass to the delivery nozzle 51.

designates a bracket detachably secured to the housing H, as by a stud and nut 58, this being a support for the movable jaw. The bracket 5'! extends inwardly and is provided with a laterally extending portion 59 in which is formed the delivery passage 69 arranged in register with the lower end of the tube 38 and of sufficient diameter to permit the passage of the tablet. The laterally extending portion 59 is formed with an upwardly extending arcuate rib SI forming a continuation of one side of the passage 6&3, this constituting a fixed jaw and providing a recess or slot for the movable jaw to work in. 62 designates the movable jaw, this being pivotally mounted at 53 on the bracket 5'! and formed with an arcuate portion movable in the recess toward and from the fixed jaw 6!. The movable jaw 62 is yieldingly urged toward the part 6! by a spring 55 secured to a radial arm 88 on the movable body 62 and to the outer end of the bracket 57. When the movable jaw is actuated about its pivot 63 by the spring 65, as indicated in full lines (Figure 7), the passage 68 is partially closed or reduced sufficiently to prevent a tablet from passing out of the tube .36, or the lowermost tablet in the tube 38 rests upon the arcuate portion 64 of the movable jaw 52. When the movable jaw 52 is moved outwardly against the action of the spring 55 into the dotted line position (Figure 7), the passage 59 is fully open and the tablet permitted to drop through the passage Gil past the movable jaw or the arcuate portion 64 thereof and onto the cut-off plate 6?. This cut-ofi" plate 6! has a back and forth, here shown as a reciprocating, movement, it being carried by a horizontally arranged reciprocating shaft or tube 68 slidably mounted in suitable bearings or bosses 69 in the body ll (Figure 1), the plate being provided dth an aperture 18 (Figure 3) movable into and out of register with the passage 58 during the reciprocating movement of the cut-off plate 6'1. When arranged in register with the passage 68, the tablet which has previously been released by the opening movement of the jaw 62 is free to drop through the aperture lb into the receiving end of the chute 58.

The jaw 62 is actuated by the reciprocating movement of the cut-off plate 61, and as here shown, a shoulder is provided on the shaft 68,

' pivoted to the reciprocating shaft 68.

this. shoulder being at one end of the plate ll secured to the shaft 68, which shoulder thrusts against the end 12 of the pivoted jaw 62 during the movement of the shaft 68 to the left (Figures 1 and '7) and actuates the jaw 62 to open it against the action of returning spring 65. The reciprocating movement is so synchronized with the movement of the jaw 62 that during the movement of the shaft 68 and cut-off plate 61 to the left, the aperture 10 moves out of alinement with the passage 68 while the movable jaw 62 is opened and releasing the lowermost tablet in the tube 30, and hence permits the tablet to drop onto the plate 61, and that during movement of the shaft 68 and cut-off plate 61 to the right (Figure 7), the jaw 52 moves back into cut-off position, while the ap'erture 18 comes back into alinement with the passage 60, permitting the tablet that is resting on the cut-off plate 61 to drop through the aperture 10 into the receiving end of the chute 58. Preferably, the mechanism is adjusted to feed the tablets one by one in a single file but obviously they may be adjusted to feed more than one. Also, these tablets, designated as T, are usually cylindrical in form with spherical ends or spherical in form with their equatorial zones cylindrical. Theshape, however, is primarily a matter of convenience in forming the tablets.

By this feeding mechanism, there is no rubbing of tablets and no force applied tending to crack or crumble the tablets. The tablet released by the cut-off plate 5! travels through the chute to the delivery nozzle 5|.

The actuating and motion transmitting mechanism may be of any suitable construction for effecting the rotation of the tube 3!], the reciprocation of the ejector or delivery plunger and the operation of the cut-off and dispensing mechanism. The mechanism here shown comprises a motor 88 suitably carried by the body II and connected to a drive shaft 8| journalled in a the body H, by a belt 82 running over pulleys 83 and 84 on the motor shaft and the shaft 8| and motion transmitting means between the shaft 8| and the feed tube 36, between the shaft BI and the cut-01f plate 61', and between the shaft 8! and the plunger 55.

The shaft 8! is mounted in suitable bearings v 85 in the body H and the mechanism between it and the rotatable tube 30 comprises a gear 86 on the shaftSl meshing with a pinion 8! mounted on the shaft 88 suitably journalled in bearing 89 in the body II, it extending horizontally or radially relatively to the tube 30, a pinion 9!] on the shaft 88 and meshing with the beveled gear 43. Thus, the tube 30 is continuously rotated.

The motion transmitting means between the shaft SI and the plunger 55 to reciprocate it and also between the shaft BI and the shaft 68 to reciprocate said shaft and cut-off plate 61 may also be of any suitable construction, that here shown comprising a gear 9| rotatably mounted upon a shaft 92 having an eccentric 93 which through its strap 94 is connected to a rock arm 95 on a shaft 555 journalled in suitable bearings 87 in the housing H and having a rock arm 98 mounted for angular adjustment and secured to a collar 99 (Figures 2 and 3) on the shaft 96.

The collar 99 is adjustably secured to the shaft 96 as by a screw I00. The arm 98 has a fork The plunger 55 is actuated from the shaft 96 through a second radial arm Illl secured for angular adjustment to the shaft 96 in any suitable manner to change the radial angle thereof, this arm IOI being pivoted at I02 to the upper end of the ejector or plunger 55. Thus, during the rotation of the shaft 88, the rotary motion thereof is continuously transmitted to the feed tube 30 and at the same time synchronized reciprocating movements are transferred to the plunger 65 and the reciprocating shaft 68.

The machine is intended to be used in juxtaposition to a conveyor or similar feeding means I05 operable to convey containers C in a procession beneath the delivery nozzle 5|. Particularly simple means is provided for operatively clutching the gear to the shaft 92 to effect operation of the cut-off and dispensing mechanism and the ejector or plunger 55, as each container passes beneath the nozzle the gear 9| being the gear through which both the plunger 55 and the cutoff and dispensing mechanism are operated, or this gear being common to the motion transmitting mechanism for both the plunger 55 and the cut-off and dispensing mechanism including the cut-off plate 61. This means comprises a onerevolution or periodic clutch controlled by the container, moving into a position under the nozzle 5I, through electro-magnetic means as a solenoid, the current through which is controlled by the container so moving into register with the nozzle 5|.

Any suitable one-revolution or periodic clutch may be used. That here illustrated comprises a fixed clutch section rotatable with a shaft or .motion transmitting member being continuously rotated, as the gear 9|, a shiftable clutch section which is urged into engagement with the fixed section by a suitable spring, a locking member normally holding the shiftable clutch section in disengaged position, an electro-m'agnet or $016- noid, the movable member or core of which is connected to the locking member, and a switch for closing the circuit through the solenoid, the switch being moved to closed position by an actuator or lever arranged to be engaged by the container C, as it moves under or into receiving position relatively to the discharge nozzle 5|, said locking member having cam means for throwing out the shiftable clutch section at the end of each revolution.

H3 designates the fixed clutch section having a jaw face I I4, the clutch section I I3 being here shown as secured to one face: of the gear 9|, as by screws H5. I09 designates the movable or shiftable clutch section, this being slidable in a suitable way formed in a radially extending lengthwise projection or rib I08 on a sleeve I06 keyed to the shaft 92 to rotate therewith, the sleeve being located between the eccentric 93 and the hub of the gear 9!. H2 designates the spring thrusting at one end against the side face of the eccentric c3 and at its other end against clutch section I09, the spring being located in a suitable bore in the clutch section I09.

H0 is a retaining plate for holding the clutch section 109 in the groove or way formed in the H0 designates the locking member or cam coacting m'th the shiftable clutch section I09 and shiftable out of engagement with the section I09 to permit the spring I I2 to re-act and engage the clutch section I09 with the clutch section H3. The cam or looking member H6 is 'movable radially relatively to the clutch section I 00 and its carrier, the sleeve I55. As here shown, the clutch section I00 is formed with a notch I09 extending transversely relatively to the sleeve I06 into which the locking member or cam I I5 extends, this slot being normally in circumferential alinement with a relatively high peripheral surface ID'I on the sleeve I06. The member H6 and one of the walls of the slot I09 have coacting faces I25 and I24 coacting inclined plane fashion to shift the clutch section I09 axially. The looking member or cam H0 is normally arranged in the slot I09, and hence holds the clutch section I09 retracted or against the action of the spring I I2, that is, holds it out of engagement with the clutch section H3. When the locking member or cam H6 is shifted out of the slot I00 the spring H2 is free to react and engage the clutch section I09 with the clutch section H3, so as to rotate the shaft 02 and effect the timed actuation of the plunger through the eccentric 93 and the connections 94, 95 and shaft 95 to force the table T in the delivery nozzle 5| out of said nozzle into container C registering therewith, and also reciprocate the dispensing and cut-off mechanism or the plate 'II and jaw 52 to deliver another tablet into the chute 50 for the next operation of the plunger 55. The locking member or cam H5 is here shown as'carried by a rock arm II'I mounted on a suitable rock shaft or pivot I I8 which is connected through a rock arm I20 and link I2I to the core I22 of a seloneid I23. When the solenoid is energized, its core I22 is moved upwardly (Figure 4) and hence the locking member H5 shifted to the right out of the slot I09 against the action of a returning spring I I'I permitting the clutch section I09 to engage the clutch section I I 3 under the impulse of the spring H2, so that the shaft 92 is now clutched to the gear 0!. The closing of the switch in circuit of the windings of the solenoid I23 is momentary but sufiicient to permit the slot I09 to move circumferentially out of register with the locking member or cam H6, and during the movement of the shaft 02, the sleeve I06 rotates therewith and carries the clutch section I09 orbitally therewith. Hence, the locking member or cam engages the high peripheral surface Iii. of the sleeve I06. As the sleeve I06 completes its one revolution, the cam H0 again radially enters into the slot Hi9 and the cam surface I25 thereof engages the cam surface I24 at one side of the slot I59 and cams the clutch section H9 axially to the left against the spring H2, thus disengaging the clutch section I09 from the clutch section I 53.

The solenoid I23 is electrically connected to a switch I25 of any suitable construction by a cable I23. Thus switch is here shown as mounted on a bracket I30 adjustablv mounted on the column I0. The switch is self -opening and is closed by a lever I3I pivotally mounted on a bracket I32 carried by the switch. housing and provided with a wiper or roller I33 so located as to be engaged by each container as it moves in register with the delivery nozzle 5|.

It is obvious that by this arrangement, upon engagement of the roller I33 by the container C, then moving under the delivery nozzle 5!, the switch I28 will be momentarily closed and the solenoid I 23 energized, and that upon energization of the solenoid, the locking member or cam H5 will be moved radially out of the notch or slot I530, permitting the clutch section I09 to be shifted by the spring H2 into engagement with the clutch section I 13, so that the shaft 02 will be rotated to actuate the plunger 55 and the cutoff and dispensing mechanism, and that as the shaft 92 completes one revolution, the clutch I09 will be withdrawn from engagement with the clutch section I I3 by reason of the surface I25 of the cam I I6 engaging the surface I24 of the clutch section I09, thus stopping the feeding of the tablets until another container reaches the position in register with the delivery nozzle I.

In order to prevent more than one tablet, or more than a predetermined number of tablets, from being fed into any one container, in the event the container feeding mechanism stops while a container is under the nozzle 5|, and hence the circuit to the solenoid I23 held closed, means may be provided, as seen in Figures 9 and 10, for releasing the locking member IIB during each operation of the feeding or the cut-off and dispensing mechanism, regardless of whether or not the solenoid remains energized. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, this means comprises a jointed rock arm or lever I40 corresponding to the rock arm or lever I20, and means operable during the cycle of movement of the one-revolution clutch for folding or breaking the jointed rock arm or lever I40, so as to release the locking lever I I6 or effectively disconnect it from the armature or core of the solenoid and permit it to return to locking position during each revolution of the clutch. The rock arm or lever I40 consists of two sections joined or pivoted together at I4I, suitable means, as a latch I42, pivoted between its ends at I43 to one section of the arm or lever I40 and extending across the pivot MI and latching at one end at I44 with the other section, and a suitable knock-off or cam I46 provided on the projection or rib I08 of the sleeve I56, the tail of the latch I42 being located in the orbital path of the knock-off I46. The jointed rock arm or lever I40 is returned to normal position, when the locking member II6 moves into locking position, that is, the position shown in Figure 9 from that shown in Figure 10, by suitable means, as a spring or springs I41, each of which is connected at one end at I48 to one section of the rock arm I40 and its other end at I49 to the latch I42, the arrangement being such that the springs I41 tend to straighten the jointed rock arm or lever I40 from its folded position (Figure 10) and also perform the function of returning the latch I42 into latching position.

In operation, when the container C being progressed by the conveyor I05, engages the arm I33 to close the switch to the solenoid I23, the solenoid being thus energized moves the straightened rock arm or lever I40 upwardly and withdraws the locking member H6 in the same manner as the corresponding lever or rock arm I20 performs this function, in the construction shown in Figure 4. The one-revolution clutch is thus actuated in the same manner as in Figure 4, but before it has completed its revolution, after the locking member H5 has been moved out of locking position, the knock-off or cam I46 engages the tail of the latch lever I42 at I50, and thus trips the latch lever, so that 'it folds into the position shown in Figure 10, and thus releases the locking member II6 of the holding action of the solenoid, permitting the locking member II6 to move into normal position and throw out the shiftable clutch section, even though the solenoid should remain energized as when a container C instead of feeding past the nozzle 5I remains under the nozzle and in engagement with the roller I33 of the lever I3I. In the normal operation, when the container moves out of engagement with the roller I 33 of the lever I3I and out from under the nozzle 5|, so that the solenoid is de-energized, and its core drops to normal position, the springs I41 re-act to return the jointed lever I40 to its straightened position, and the latch I42 into latching position, as shown in Figure 9.

What I claim is: r

In a tablet feeding machine, an upright magazine tube through which the tablets feed one above the other, cut-ofi and dispensing mechanism comprising a part formed with a passage arranged below and alined with the tube and adjacent the end of the same and having an arcuate fixed jaw adjacent the end of the tube, a jaw movable transversely toward and from the former jaw partly into and out of the path of the tablets and serving to engage and hold the lowermost tablet from feeding into the passage, the dispensing mechanism including a cut-off plate movable across the lower end of said passage and having an aperture movable into and out of register therewith, and means for rotating the tube, actuating the movable jaw and for actuating the cut-off plate to cause it to register its aperture with said passage while the movable jaw is clamping the lowermost tablet in the tube and to move said aperture out of alinement with the passage when the movable jaw is out of engagement with the lowermost tablet in the tube.

LOUIS J. MADDEN. 

